Many thought Chelsea were taking a gamble when they appointed Enzo Maresca as their manager in 2024.
Maresca had never managed in the Premier League before and had only been a head coach at Leicester City and Parma.
However, it has not taken long for the Italian to prove his doubters wrong, winning two major honours in his first season at Chelsea.
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Former Manchester United defender Phil Jones has been impressed with Maresca, while the 45-year-old has also received praise from a Chelsea legend in Gianfranco Zola.
Gianfranco Zola former player of SSC looks on
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Gianfranco Zola was impressed with Enzo Maresca’s work at Leicester City
Zola kept a close eye on Maresca during his spell at Leicester, and it was from then that he knew his compatriot was the real deal.
Speaking to The Times about Maresca, Zola said: “I didn’t know him personally before he came to Chelsea, but I had followed what he did at Leicester and could see that we were dealing with a serious coach.
“He’s worked with and for [Arrigo] Sacchi, Manuel Pellegrini, [Pep] Guardiola. He’s had an excellent grounding.”
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Zola has also discussed Cole Palmer and Estevao Willian, confident that both attackers can play in the same Chelsea team.
Because of Palmer’s groin and toe injuries, the two have barely played alongside each other this season.
The England international will miss Chelsea’s game against Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday night, but Maresca could unleash both him and Estevao in Saturday’s match versus Everton.
Enzo Maresca of Chelsea talks to the media
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Enzo Maresca’s record at Leicester City
With the squad that Leicester had, there was an expectation for Maresca to win promotion to the Premier League with them in the 2023/24 season. Nevertheless, what he achieved there should not be discredited.
The Championship can be a very long and gruelling division. Maresca did well to guide Leicester to first place.
Under the Chelsea head coach, Leicester won over 30 games and almost reached the 100-point mark.
Enzo Maresca’s league record at Leicester City Total
Matches 46
Wins 31
Draws 4
Losses 11
Points 97
Points per match 2.11
Via Transfermarkt
Since his departure, Leicester have gone backwards. They were relegated from the Premier League last season and currently find themselves 14th in the Championship table.
As for Maresca, he is now recognised as one of the most talented coaches in Europe, with his stock only likely to increase.
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